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Real Estate Division

CPD 891 - Fundamentals of Reserve Fund Planning

The Reserve Fund Planning Program (RFPP) is a national program designed to provide real estate practitioners with the necessary expertise required to complete a diversity of reserve fund studies and depreciation reports. The program covers a variety of property types from different Canadian provinces, offering both depth and breadth in understanding how reserve fund studies are prepared for condominium/stratas and other properties.

Course Description

CPD 891: Fundamentals of Reserve Fund Planning provides a comprehensive overview of the underlying theory, principles, and techniques required for preparing reserve fund studies.

The course is structured in five parts. The first lesson addresses the history and legislative basis for reserve fund studies for property managers and owners of commercial real estate. The second lesson addresses the physical inspection of the property that is the subject of the reserve study. The third and fourth lessons address the evaluation of depreciation and the costing of building elements. Finally, the fifth lesson addresses the methodology used to complete the financial analysis in the reserve fund study.

The course requires completion of multiple choice assignments with each lesson, plus a written project. The project is a challenging, stimulating, and thought-provoking exercise that requires research and analysis beyond the course materials, in applying the course concepts in a practical context. The course ends with a written examination.

CPD 891 is eligible for 12 AIC credit hours.

Course Outline

  • Foreword - Introduction to Professional Development Courses
  • Lesson 1 - Overview of Depreciation Reports – Legislative Requirements & Methodology 
    Legislative Overview 
    Implications of Reserve Fund Studies for Property Managers and Owners 
    Reserve Fund Professionals 
    Reserve Fund Study Principles and Methodology 
    Professional Liability Considerations 
    Quantifying Common Elements 
    Summary 
    Review and Discussion Questions 
    Assignment 1
  • Lesson 2 - Identification and Quantification of Common Elements 
    Step 1: Identification and Quantification of Common Elements 
    Preliminary Research 
    Description and Measurement 
    Preparing for the Property Inspection 
    Inspection Items: Common Element Categories 
    Concluding the Inspection: Compiling and Reporting Inspection Results 
    Appendix 2.1: Sample Condominium Plans – Ontario Residential High-Rise 
    Appendix 2.2: Measuring Areas on Plans – Adobe Acrobat Professional 
    Appendix 2.3: Case Study – 55 Summer Lane 
    Appendix 2.4: Case Study – Valley Estates 
    Review and Discussion Questions 
    Assignment 2
  • Lesson 3 - Lifecycle Assessment 
    Step 2: Life Span Analysis 
    Estimating Life Expectancies of Components 
    Case Study – 55 Summer Lane 
    Case Study – Kelowna Townhouses 
    Case Study – Valley Estates 
    Summary 
    Review and Discussion Questions 
    Assignment 3
  • Lesson 4 - Cost Analysis 
    Step 3: Estimate Current Replacement Cost (CRC) of Reserve Components 
    Case Study – 55 Summer Lane 
    Summary 
    Review and Discussion Questions 
    Assignment 4
  • Lesson 5 - Financial Analysis Accounting 101 for Condominiums/Stratas 
    Step 4: Project Future Replacement Costs 
    Step 5: Project Future Value of Current Reserve Funds 
    Step 6: Calculate Current Reserve Fund Contributions Required 
    Case Study – Saskatchewan Condominiums 
    Further Reserve Fund Case Studies 
    Summary 
    Review and Discussion Questions 
    Assignment 5
  • Project
  • Afterword
    The Final Examination

Additional Information

View the Learning Objectives for each lesson in CPD 891

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